by Ashley Flowers Overall: All Good People here is a solid thriller written by the host of a very popular true crime podcast. I do enjoy the occasional foray into true crime, and I was curious about how the author’s experience podcasting might inform the story. Margot Davies a successful journalist, has returned to herContinue reading “All Good People Here”
Category Archives: Modern Mysteries
Play the Fool
by Lina Chern Overall: In this entertaining contemporary mystery, we meet Katie True. Katie’s currently working in a failing mall outside Chicago, the latest in a string of jobs headed nowhere. She didn’t like college and has never found her passion – except for reading tarot cards. She can’t stand her parents and older sister;Continue reading “Play the Fool”
The Locked Room
by Elly Griffiths Overall: This is entry 14 in Griffiths’ Ruth Galloway mystery series, and I am pleased to report that I enjoyed it. As series lengthen, it can be difficult to maintain interest in familiar characters and come up with new storylines, and this book succeeds. This entry takes on the pandemic, which weContinue reading “The Locked Room”
Winter Counts
by David Heska Wanbli Weiden Overall: Let’s not beat around the bush: I loved this book. Virgil Wounded Horse, like many a classic noir narrator, lives and works in the gray area between serving justice and being a criminal. He’s the guy folks on the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota turn to when theyContinue reading “Winter Counts”
Wrong Place Wrong Time
by Gillian McAllister Overall: OK, this is definitely a book where too much information will spoil the story, so I’m going to try not to give too much away. We meet Jen on the night when she sees her teenage son murder a stranger on the street in front of their house and immediately getContinue reading “Wrong Place Wrong Time”
The Mom Group
by Jennifer A. Jones Overall: Although it’s called The Mom Group, this novel is mostly about one woman who identifies primarily as a wife and mother. After years as a stay-at-home mom, Erika Thompson has reached a bumpy patch in her life. Both her kids are away at college and her husband barely sees her,Continue reading “The Mom Group”
Dead and Gondola
by Ann Claire Overall: Calling all cozy mystery lovers! This delightful book is a love letter to the genre. Ellie Christie (sadly, no relation to the famous author) has recently returned to the charming hamlet of Last Word, Colorado, to help her sister Meg take over the family bookstore, the Book Chalet. Ellie’s in loveContinue reading “Dead and Gondola”
The Inn-Sitter
by Heather Mihok Overall: In this supernatural thriller that will be released on October 27th, 17-year-old Temperly has run away from a life that’s gone unbearably wrong. She plans to hide in the mountains of rural Virginia and figure out what to do next while earning as small fee as a temporary caretake (or inn-sitter)Continue reading “The Inn-Sitter”
Acts of Violet
by Margarita Montimore Overall: while this is the first book of Montimore’s that I’ve read, it won’t be the last! I love true crime, podcasts, family dramas, magic, and show business; Acts of Violet combines these elements into a story that I binged in 24 hours. Violet Volk, the name adopted by the woman bornContinue reading “Acts of Violet”
The Christmas Murder Game
by Alexandra Benedict Overall: want to feel better about your next family reunion? This is your book! Lily Armitage currently works as a costume designer in London, specializing in recreations of vintage corsets. She wants to start her own line but can’t quite escape the trauma of her childhood. Lily’s Aunt Liliana raised her afterContinue reading “The Christmas Murder Game”